asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the proposed drafting of a Bill based on the Barrington Commission concerning safety, health and welfare; and if it is proposed to introduce this Bill in the next session.

Work is in progress on drafting a Bill to implement the main recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry on Safety, Health and Welfare at Work. It is my intention that the Bill will be introduced in the next session.

What level of discussion has taken place since the Barrington Commission's findings, particularly in regard to employers' liability insurance? It is my information that there will be a major problem in that area affecting the safety and health of workers. I would like to know what discussions are taking place arising from the findings of the Barrington Commission prior to the introduction of the legislation which, I gather, will be drafted in September?

The draft heads of the Bill have been cleared by Government. I have established, with the agreement of the Government, an interim board which represents both employers and workers on a nominated basis and individual civil servants from various Departments with an independent chairperson. The total number is 11. They are looking at the draft legislation and are being consulted about its final from before it is brought to the House in the autumn. Work is in progress and I am confident that early in the next autumn session we will be in a position to bring the legislation forward. When we do so it will have gone through the normal governmental process of consultation at departmental level where employers' concerns, such as the one the Deputy mentioned, will be addressed and the nominees of the FUE on the interim board will have been able to look at the proposals. I am confident that this Act, which will be a framework Act, will have had ample and constructive consideration in consultations with the relevant bodies who have the right to have their say in relation to it.

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